You can judge a book by it's cover with this one. The cover is breathtaking as is everything else about this book from our wonderful FMC, Samara, and our swoony MMC, Raphael to the side characters you can't help but want to be friends with and a plot that just keeps on thickening until you're well up into the night because "I just need one more chapter!!"

This was a decently enjoyable read! I liked the how Samara had a normal reaction to being around a vampire. HOWEVER I do love a good grumpy protective man, thank you Raphael for being hot. I will definitely be on the lookout for book 2 because I need to know what happens to Sam. Does Raphael recover from the poison?? What does Sam discover about her new life and will her feelings change for Raphael??!! I need to know!

I'm really glad I picked this for one of my June reads. It was well paced and interesting (magic system is pretty cool) and the banter and slow burn between the main characters (come on that's like catnip to us readers). Will definitely have to pick up book two!

I was provided with an arc copy of this work in audio format from Netgalley free of charge in return for an honest review.

As with all audio i review i will start with The narration it really is excellent and brings the world of the story to life.

I was drawn to the book by the cover art, white marble with a grey rose flecked with red petals and vines grew here and there. is was so stark and unexpected the image caught and stayed in my mind for several days and i wasnt sure it was for me but I kept being drawn back and eventually the blurb caught my imagination and i had to know what the story was so i was hooked.

however much promise the blurb on the back did not match up tp the story I found myself in.
The main character Samara is a void , a person who has no innate magic, and is in Greymere prison for a crime that is never really explained also she was only 8 years old when she was sentenced ? but later that becomes confusing because its unclear if she was sentenced because of undifined crime or if she was just sentenced to serve in the prision due to her nature as a void. Either way she learns that she's not getting out like she thinks so she rescues a vampire dispite the fact that shes absoultely terrified of him,
And they start off on a journey as escape prisoners.

But I just don't know where the story is going. Its very odd. There's vampires and witches ( witches arent human they have unatural life spans ) and voids who are human. And untold cruelty beyond measure in both Witch kingdom and The Vampire Kingdom.

However there's just so many things that dont make sense. If its acepted that vampires do exist in this setting and everyone knows it and knows that they can enthrall humans
Such as Vamps can enthrall humans and yet Samara was sent alone to tend his wounds in Greymere?

Samara is terrified of Vampires so why doesnt she just make a swift exit while he is killing the prision guards and leave him to it?
Its implied that no who remembered her is alive so who is going to search for her? She hides in prision often so who would know she was missing?

Either way she decideds to travel with the Vamp to the city of answers where she and the vamp will part company and she can go to the monstary and enter into service to the Gods free of her previous life.

All she has to do is waste her One Question tto the librarians . Why people only get one question ever is not explained and seems kinda weird.

either way she gets the vamps question answered and tells him where to Find the black Grimore. She tells him what she was told and sets off for the monstary.

Turns out the Monstary just wants to beat the shit out of people and the vamp shows up and kills everyone. He gets her to a cabin where she heals and then they go and get the Grimore from an ancient temple in the middle of a swamp,

Again shes terrifed of him but she still goes with him? She also agrees to back to his kingdom with him and translate the gimorie.

While shes in The Vampires Court she learns that hes the King of the vampires and the Witch Kings spymaster is in the Vampire court. Samara has been offered money for her service in translating the grimore and treated as an honored guest Amd she doesn't say anything why?

then she decides to betray the Vampire King ?

There are way to many things that just dont make sense. It interferes with the enjoying the story
I have finished feeling lost like I am missing things. I just dont know how to feel about anything. In Short showed promise but just no.

As someone who hadn’t read anything by Drake previously, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I read the synopsis, but this surprised me in a great way. I think I predicted a book that was more spice than plot, and I thoroughly enjoyed being wrong in this case.
The story is a slow burn, it had intrigue, tension and intricate world building. The romance does have a big focus, but the plot is written well to the point where I was just as interested in seeing what would happen next with the stakes as I wanted to see more between the leads.

A Bargain So Bloody is a strong start to a fantasy series, and should be an instant tbr to anyone who loves vampire x human plots, and touch her and die-mmcs.

Thank you to Vasilisa Drake and NetGalley for the chance to rate and review this Advanced Listeners Copy (ALC)! All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own—though I wish I could blame someone else for how unhinged I feel after that cliffhanger.

This was my first book by Vasilisa Drake, and I was genuinely impressed. I usually have a pretty good sense of where a story is going, but this one kept me on my toes. The plot took turns I didn’t expect, and I loved that!

Now let me take a moment to talk about Samara. The audacity. The way she judged the vampires—especially Raphael—was maddening. This girl got tossed into prison as a child by her own people for a crime she didn’t even commit, and yet she’s out here looking down her nose at the very ones who are helping her? Ma’am. Be serious. I’m crossing all my fingers for some real growth from her in book two, because right now she’s testing my patience.
That said, Raphael’s feelings for Samara kind of came out of nowhere. One minute he’s cold and distant, the next he’s ready to go full protector mode? I’m not mad about it, but I definitely have questions. There’s a lot about their connection that still needs to be explored, and I’m hoping the next book dives deeper into their dynamic.

Narration-wise, Cecily Foster crushed it! She brought every character to life with nuance and emotion, and made the tense moments feel extra intense. A perfect voice for this story.

And yes—it ends on a cliffhanger. A shocking one. I'm pacing the room waiting for the sequel. If you're into morally gray vampires, political intrigue, and heroines with some learning to do (hopefully), this is one to watch.

This sounded interesting plus love me some vampires 😉

What I wasn't expecting was the interesting, the take on vampires and magic it had. Not to mention being grabbed by the first sentence. In some ways it was predictable but in the end it didn't save me from the hurt I had to endure from that ending. Not only has this book not even been released yet I still have to wait until book 2. Vasilisa what a cruel cruel mistress you are.

This was such a great set up to book 2 that im excited to see what will happen next.

If you like:
Dark fantasy
Prison escape
Vampire x Human/ void witch
Enemies to reluctant allies to lovers ( slow burn )
He falls first / burnt cinnamon MMC
Forced proximity ( on bed for warmth / one horse)
Prophecy, betrayal, secret identities
Touch her and die vibes
And so much more

You will need to get your hands on this book!!!

4.5/5 (rounded to 4 stars)

A Bargain So Bloody takes us in a world in which witches, vampires and other magical beasts live. Here, we follow Samara, a void, a human without powers, that has been sentenced to fifteen years in a magical prison and Raphael, a vampire, mortal enemy to humans that finds himself in the same prison. The story is really interesting, although a tiny bit predictable at times, it has the codes of fantasy and romantasy while still being original. The magic system is well thought, different and really well used in the story so it's not overwhelming at all.

The main characters are all endearing, each one having their own personality and motivations making him impossible to not like them. I particularly loved how their difference in morals and ethics were portrayed, each of them having good reasons or arguments, even when they clashed. I particularly loved Samara and Raphael relationship and following its development.

The pacing is amazing, a lot of things happens in the book, with the characters going to a lot of different places but not once did it feel rushed or passed over too fast.

The narration was super good! Cecily Foster managed to bring the story to life magnificiently well. She did a great job voicing all the characters, and I particularly loved how she portrayed Samara emotions during the book.

I didn't expect the ending at all and I just loved it. It left me hanging and I cannot wait for the next book!

All in all, I think this book is a really good romantasy and I definitely recommend it!

Really excellent slow burn vampire story. I feel like most the vampire books I read that have romance are a quicker burn because well they are vampires. But this one is so slow of a burn. The first half moved along really fast and had a decent unique plot. I was really excited for the ending/cliffhanger, but sadly that part felt a tad predictable and similar to other books. Still excited to read book 2 when it comes out.

Thank you so much for the alc copy of this!
This was absolutely amazing and the narrators did an amazing job with this story and Brining it to life!

The slow burn I don’t even know what to say except well done! It’s not often that we get a book where the slow burn is actually a slowww burn to the point where the yearning and tension is thick.

The world building, along with the pacing, tension and characters made for a very well made story and plot and I can’t wait for the next book!

Thanks to netgalley/the author for an audiobook of this. My reviews tend to be posted on Goodreads, Tome, and Fable. I plan on posting my review on 6-28-2025

I’ll start off by saying the narrators voice is great and they did an amazing job. It’s a voice that’s super easy to listen to and I never found myself zoning out while listening to this story.

This story starts off with the MC, Samara being trapped in a magical prison. She helps a vampire, Raphael escape once she learns that once her sentence is up she wasn’t going to be released. From here on out it’s an adventure with her traveling with someone she’s deadly afraid of. I honestly was shocked by the ending and didn’t see it coming.

As soon as I saw this was about vampires I had to request it. Because I am and have always been a vampire girlie. The characters for the most part are likable but there are a few times I was giving side eye to a few characters. I really liked two of the side characters and without spoiling anything let’s just say I’m holding out hope for something to happen.

I’m once again mentioning the ending but I seriously was shocked by it in a good way. I can’t wait to see how this story continues in the next book. Definitely recommend this to my friends who love vampires and witches.

A very entertaining vampire romantasy. Slow burn. Enemies to? Hidden identity. Witches. magic cards. Found family. He’ll burn the world for you. It was a solid read, great narrator, but, for me, it was predictable. Also her being imprisoned at 8 years old in that hell hole was quite unbelievable ( even for fantasy) and it wasn’t explained until way late in the book, I was under the impression having been there for 12 years she must be at least close to 30. Overall it was a great book aside from that.

I recently started receiving advanced reader copies for books that are soon to be coming out, and one of the first ones I received was A Bargain So Bloody by Vasalisa Drake. I listened to this ARC as an audiobook, and the words had me gripped from the first sentence.

Overview:
A Bargain So Bloody starts off inside a witch prison and follows the main female character, Samara. She has been in prison for 12 years at this point and was sentenced to serve inside because she has no magic. Inside the prison, she is sent to tend to a vampire, which she has never done before. After finding out she might never leave the godforsaken prison, she makes a bargain with the vampire that she might never come back from…

My Review:
A Bargain So Bloody has been one of my all-time favorite books. I am so glad that I was sent to ARC to listen to. The flow of the book was amazing, and like I said before, my attention was grasped from the first sentence of the book and was held throughout until the end of the epilogue. Now that I am finished A Bargain So Bloody, I have so many questions and theories about what is going to happen next. There were so many twists and turns in this book that I did not see coming, and this is impressive since usually I can predict what is going to happen.

The last time I was this excited to read the next book in the series was when I read Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarrows. I would also love to say that the plotting and writing were great. There was plenty of description when it came to the magic system the the character’s world, especially when it came to the witches, vampires, and voids. I also thought it was very unique that their world has magic cards that can be used by those without magic.

Overall, I think A Bargain So Bloody is an amazing book, and I strongly recommend that you read it. It is the first book in the “Kingdom of Dark Magic” series and will be released on June 30th, 2025. This book had minimal “romance”, so this series will definitely be a slow burn, but well worth the wait in my opinion! This book would also be a great pick if you love tropes such as forbidden romance, “she’s mine”, touch her and die, haters to lovers to haters, and morally grey love interest.

I ended up rating A Bargain So Bloody five out of five stars and would urge any reader who loves fantasy to give it a chance.

A Bargain So Bloody by Vasilisa Drake is an utterly immersive fantasy tale full of dark secrets, quiet strength, and slow-burning emotional tension. Narrated flawlessly by Cecily Foster, this audiobook is a must-listen for anyone who loves morally gray characters, lush world-building, and a heroine who comes into her power slowly, painfully, and triumphantly. At the heart of the story is Samara, a Void who is imprisoned for crimes unknown. When the book begins, she’s a timid and compliant prisoner, focused solely on surviving and quietly serving out her sentence. But everything changes when she crosses paths with the vampire Raphael bound in chains and just as much a prisoner as she is. Faced with the possibility of never getting her freedom, Samara takes a leap of courage: she strikes a bargain with Raphael that she will release him from his bonds if he’ll take her with him.

What follows is a blood-soaked journey through a brutal, merciless world. Everywhere they go, a trail of bodies follows, whether due to Raphael’s cold efficiency or the violence others aim at Samara simply for existing. Despite the chaos, there are moments of stunning intimacy and connection: the two of them riding together on a single horse, her trying to maintain distance while he remains fiercely protective. Raphael never forces or pressures her, always giving her space and choice even when everything around them demands brutality.

Through it all, Cecily Foster’s narration is masterful. She gives Samara a gentle vulnerability that evolves into quiet strength, while imbuing Raphael with a layered intensity which is menacing, yet achingly tender when it comes to Samara. Every moment, from whispered conversations to deadly battles, is brought vividly to life.

And just when you think you understand the shape of this story, Drake delivers a jaw-dropping twist that redefines everything you thought you knew. It’s brilliantly executed, perfectly timed and one of those rare reveals that makes you want to go back and re-listen to catch all the hints you missed.

A Bargain So Bloody is a stunning fantasy that proves you don’t need spice to build a romance that burns. With its haunting atmosphere, emotional depth, and unforgettable ending, this audiobook will stay with you long after the final chapter.

So much plot that keeps you realed in wanting more but the tension between the FMC & MMC just continues to build! Twist at the end GIVE ME BOOK 2 PLZ!

Thank you Netgalley & Vasilisa Drake for allowing me to devour the audiobook ARC!

I genuinely hope booktok and bookstagram goes feral for this book and rest of the series.

Book: 5⭐️
Audio: 5⭐️

I made a journey over to #netgalley try my hand at reviews.
I've read alot of new to me authors this year and Ms. Drake joins the ranks of women authors who are not disappointing!!!!!

This is a paranormal fantasy. I listened and read this today. It's delicious.
Character development on point
Plot on point
There are no lulls in the story. Be prepared to devour this book. @cecilysexily gives every character life!

The FMC has been imprisoned since her teens. She believes she can handle the rest of her 3 years sentence and make her way to a religious organization to live her life in anonymity. Her jailer mocks her beliefs, the MMC makes her bargain and the story flows vigorously from there!

Pick this book and audio up on June 30 2025.

Meanwhile, I am already feening for the next book.

I'm very happy this was my first net galley ARC / ALC.

Those last 2 sentences!!!!! You could kinda tell it was leading up to that but damn. I wanted to know more of Samara's backstory the entire time reading this and we only get tiny glimpses. I can't wait for the next book to learn more. Raphael was an interesting character to have show up and I love his interactions with her. This book is great at sprinkling in bits of information; just enough to have you questioning and wanting to know what the heck it means.
The narration was great as well!
I'm definitely keeping this author in my TBR.

Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-Op for the Audio Arc
Overall I thought this was a good book that was a good set up for a series. I liked the magic system in this world as well. Having it so witches have powers but non-witches can use cards to use some magic was very cool and make it seem more real. I know people who couldn't use magic would pay what ever they could to use it. The book is a bit insta-love which is not my favorite. The book was a little predictable with what was going to happen but I didn't mind it. I was having fun with the story so being obvious wasn't a deal breaker. I will say there are a lot of questions and barley any of them get answers. I know it's a series but I thought we would get a few more answers for what was going on. I also don't love when characters hold onto information because they assume people will assume the worst of them. Seems like a cheap way to get the plot moving the way you want. I though Cecily Foster was a great narrator. She kept the flow and timing of the book very well! I will continue the series to see what happens!

Moody, emotional and utterly immersive.
I received A Bargain So Bloody as an audiobook ARC via NetGalley, and I was immediately pulled into its dark, slow-burning atmosphere.

This is a romantasy that leans into quiet tension, character depth, and a haunting world full of danger and hidden truths. There’s no explicit romance, but the chemistry simmers underneath every scene. The dynamic between the two main characters is built on mistrust, slow understanding, and a fragile alliance that feels earned.

As an audiobook, this story truly came alive. Cecily Foster’s narration was perfectly matched to the tone of the book – calm, expressive, and emotionally grounded. Her performance added so much nuance, especially to Samara’s emotional journey. I really appreciated how subtle yet impactful her delivery was. I’d happily listen to more audiobooks narrated by her.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy:
– Enemies to reluctant allies
– Morally grey vampires
– No spice, but emotionally charged tension
– Forced proximity
– Slow burn romantasy
– Strong narration that enhances the story

Huge thanks to Victory Editing and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this audiobook early. I’m very excited to see where the series goes next.

Thank you so so much Netgalley for this ALC. This book was absolutely amazing! I was completely obsessed from the beginning! The magic in this book was so intriguing, I loved how it was done! I’m a huge fan of humans being thrown into a world with higher powered ones and in this one was no different! It was so well done, full of world building & amazing characters development!

Will most definitely be posting this on my booksta when it gets published!